Do glycerites confuse you? Would you like to know how to make alcohol-free herbal medicines that can serve your community and clients?
Glycerites are mixtures of medicinal substances with glycerine. They are a fantastic way of making herbal medicine accessible for the many members of our communities who avoid alcohol; people in recovery, pregnant people, children, people of Muslim & other faiths, and people unable to tolerate tinctures due to health reasons.
Despite huge demand, glycerite making can still be a mystery.
This online workshop explores how to make herbal glycerites in simple and effective ways.
Learn:
- What is glycerine? How is it made? How has it been used in medicine? Is it sustainable?
- All about glycerine’s medicinal properties, energetics and how it is metabolised in the body
- Which herbal constituents glycerine loves and what medicines can glycerine be used to make
- All the practical elements of glycerite making (cold, warm, fresh herbs, dried herbs, multiple herbs and more).
- Learn how to make cough syrup, indigestion lozenges and more using glycerine
- Troubleshooting and preservation
The course involves four videos, handouts and downloadable slides. Every video is subtitled and transcripts are available to download.
Commonly Asked Questions
How much does the course cost?
The online workshop is £45. Your course contribution goes towards sustaining the Solidarity Apothecary, learn more about the project here. There is a sliding scale (see more information below).
I’m so overwhelmed and don’t have the time. How long is the workshop?
There are four short videos (8:40, 20:48, 14:02, 34:47). Trust me, I’m not a waffler! The information has been presented clearly and simply. The slides and how to handouts are available to download so you can access the information you need quickly and easily.
I can’t afford it
No one is turned away for lack of funds. The Solidarity Apothecary is an anti-capitalist project. Yes, I need funds to survive capitalism as much as anyone else and your course contribution will enable me to continue to support people experiencing state violence as a herbalist. But accessibility is fundamental to this work and the values of the Solidarity Apothecary.
Please email info@solidarityapothecary.org for a code to access the workshop for free if you are unable to contribute financially right now (you don’t need to disclose about your financial circumstances).
I don’t have much experience with herbalism, is this course for me?
Yes! I have tried to use accessible language, include definitions and explain ‘herb geek’ words. The workshop has been created for people with some herbal knowledge and medicine making experience, however, if you are new to herbalism, I think it’s also a great introduction and will hopefully inspire you to keep learning about herbalism!
Isn’t glycerine a horrible industrial by-product? Why would I want to make medicine with it?
There are different kinds of glycerine – synthetic or industrial glycerine and organic glycerine (made from fats and oils from organic plants). I dive into the differences between them. The workshop explores issues such as biofuels, intensive agriculture and the energy it takes to produce synthetic glycerine. I also introduce how organic glycerine is made and its lower-energy methods of production.
Can’t I just find this information in a herb book?
When I started, I struggled to find instructions in herbal medicine making books. I tried what they recommended but would come up against issues – glycerites not being very strong or preserving what I needed them to, occasionally going mouldy, or taking a long time to make. I have spent years experimenting to make potent glycerites. I have tried every ratio under the sun of water to glycerine. I have experimented with warm glycerites using stoves, jars, slow cookers and more! I have finally settled on very effective methods that work over and over again in making potent herbal medicine with glycerine.
How long will I have access to this course?
There is no time limit. Once you have registered you will be able to keep returning to the videos as many times as you need.
How do I sign up?
Sign up here: https://solidarityapothecary.org/product/glycerinecourse/
Testimonials
Fantastic course. I’ve made so
Fantastic course. I’ve made so many wonderful, successful glycerites since taking this course.
Solidarity Apothecary’s course Making Herbal
Solidarity Apothecary’s course Making Herbal Medicine with Glycerine course was simply outstanding. An immense amount of effort went into designing a well-organized and comprehensive curriculum. Each aspect of the course built upon the previous one, creating a seamless flow of knowledge and skills development. Nicole’s depth of experience contributed to her clear, concise and easy-to-understand instructions and context to making herbal medicine with glycerine. Her passion for the subject is evident, making the learning experience both engaging and enjoyable. Her knowledge on the topic is vast, and she shared case studies that enriched my learning. It was evident that in the Solidarity Apothecary project, years have been dedicated to honing her expertise and transmitting the skills and knowledge. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from such a seasoned professional. As a result of this herbal glycerine course, I now feel confident in my ability to create non-alcohol based, high-quality herbal remedies for myself and my beloveds.
I came away from a
I came away from a weekend of herbal medicine making completely blown away and so inspired to start making my own remedies. Nicole was an amazing teacher and packed so much into the three days with her amazing knowledge and great sense of humour. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to put their love of plants and herbs into practice…a month later and I am still fired up, excited and have a row of my own tinctures and vinegars brewing..so far!! The course was very hands on and practical which brought it all to life for me..thank you so much Nicole.
I found the glycerites course
I found the glycerites course thorough, accessible and straightforward which is just what I was hopping for. I often struggle with online learning because I find that when platforms are complicated or have a lot of different aspects to them, I will easily lose motivation and just give up. The course was detailed and felt thorough with clear referencing throughout so I felt like I knew what I was learning. I completed it in one sitting because it was both straightforward and interesting, and I felt confident to start making my own glycerites with the essential info and also the context for that info, needed to adapt it to different circumstances and make my own judgement calls where needed. I’ll definitely be returning to the course and more of solidarity apothecary’s courses, thank you.
This was such an informative
This was such an informative and immersive weekend. The beauty of the land, Nicole’s teaching style and her genuine care for the whole group made for a safe and nourishing learning environment. It’s also a great place to meet and connect with other plant lovers working towards collective liberation. Highly recommend.
I learned about Solidarity Apothecary
I learned about Solidarity Apothecary after attending a webinar and wound up taking the Glycerine course. I really am hoping/looking forward to being able to take the course on healing PTSD.
The course on making glycerites was short and simple but full of useful information. I have made several glycerites using the instructions provided in the course. I have made and used glycerites using the slow cooker method out of motherwort and wild roses that i gathered and milky oats that i grew. I have been having good results using them. I had always heard glycerites are less potent than tinctures, but the glycerites i made feel very effective. I suspect that the herbal medicine might be being absorbed better from a medium that tastes sweet and pretty good, as opposed to an alcohol base where i shudder at the alcohol taste.
It feels like serendipity that i found this course, because shortly before i did i ordered a gallon of vegetable glycerin so i could use some to make horse hoof conditioner for a friend, and i knew i could make glycerites, but am very happy i learned to make good ones.
If you are hesitant about whether this course is worth it, i would say it is if you are at all interested in making herbal glycerites (and keep in mind there are advantages with palatibility and accessibility for people who don’t or can’t consume alcohol).
I cant recommend learning with
I cant recommend learning with Nicole enough. She has an extraordinary depth of knowledge which comes from deeply lived experience and a place of really profound compassion and radical care. All this comes together in a learning environment which is really really supportive, unjudgemental, and rich with information, tips, insights, jokes, experience, stories. She is a generous and warm and gracious teacher, and it really felt both enabling and a privilege to participate in her work. Working with Nicole and engaging in her work as the Solidarity Apothecary feels like one of the lessons I’ve needed in our connections and capacities with plants and one another ❤️
